GOL Airlines sponsorship

We proudly announce that GOL Airlines is our partner again this year.
To celebrate that, whoever chooses to fly inside Brazil with GOL, is not going to pay the bike transportation fee.
For that, just send an e-mail containing your name, flight number and date. Put on the suject: GOL.

Another Pro Tour rider at this year's race

Mauro Ribeiro and Michel Bögli during their rest period at the RAAM '07   -  Photo by Aronovich

More than ten years after the first Brazilian pro cyclist and Tour stage winner, Mauro Ribeiro, first raced the RAAM in 1997, joining Coca Cola Brazil relay team, another pro rider accepted the challenge of riding for 24h non stop. This time is Murilo Fischer (Liquigas squad) the one racing ultra. He, who represented Brazil at the Beijing Games this year, will be at the Desafio 24h for the first time, with a four rider relay team, joining other Pro Tour and Beijing Games rider who's already experienced this race for two times, Luciano Pagliarini (former Saunier Duval squad).

The three of them together with Rubens Bertogliati will give the opportunity for the amateur riders to see what they're able to push!

Wind conditions at the race course early today

The wind conditions at the race course are very though.

The strong wind today, around 6:30 AM, broke down a huge billboard structure.

We measured the wind gusts right before the happening and the anemometer reached 31k/h.

                                  

Official finisher rules

Check here the specific rules to be an official finisher of the Desafio 24h. The complete rules are available at the RULES menu.

Paragraph 2. It is mandatory that each cyclist rides a certain amount of laps, in accordance with his category independent of the gender, as follows (valid only for the 24 hours event - there is no minimum laps number at the 12 hours event):

Solo: 25 laps (325km)

Pairs: 15 laps each cyclist (195km)

Quartets: 10 laps each cyclist (130km)

Sextets: 6 laps each cyclist (78km)

The teams/solo which do not complete the minimum number of laps required for each rider, will be disqualified. They will be able however, to finish the race.

Paragraph 3. The teams must participate at the Desafio 24h on a rotation system, in the minimum specified proportions, in accordance with its own criterion, except in situations of emergency or contingency. The teams can choose to stop for any reason (ex. rest, mechanical problems, etc.), however they must notify their intention of abandoning the race to the Race Director.

The teams who leave the competition without a notice will be prevented from participating in future events.

...

Paragraph 7. To be an official finisher at the Desafio 24h, the teams need at least one rider. In the case of one or more team members suffer an accident, or is not in conditions of continuing in the race, he/she will not be able to be replaced. In this case, the minimum number of laps will be established and revised by the organization.

The category in which the team enrolls will be same in which it will be classified, no matter what the numbers of riders who will remain until the end of the race.

It is highly advisable to all riders to read carefully the rules, entirely, and place the questions as soon as possible. By entering the event, the rider automatically agrees with all rules published for this years event.

New entries heat up the solo category

Fabio Biasiolo, 46, and Stephen Bugbee, 55, just confirmed their presence here in Brazil.

First timers here, but with large ultra experience, the cyclists will taste the beautiful and challenging race course.

Fabio, from Italy, won the Denver to Aspen Classic (200mi) in '00 and '01. Did for 4 years ('90 to '93) the Italian MTB Championships, the Europe MTB Cup and the World MTB Championships. In 1995 he did the Giro D'Italia in one stage, over 1.700 km, Fabios's first Ultracycling race ever, finishing 3rd overall and first Italian.

From 1997 until 2007, he's raced RAAM for 11 times, finishing 5th for two times ('98 and '99 - in less than 9 days); 3 times he was on the podium (third places in '00, '05 and '06).

Just 20 days after RAAM in '06 he rode the 1001 mile (the Giro D'Italia in one stage), finishing 2nd overall. Still in 2007 he did the Tour de France in one day with a Le Monde and LE Temps journalist (most important french and flemish newspapers), under the support of the AFLD (french agency against doping) and the University of Toulose (France) to show up that it is possible to ride the Tour de France at a good pace without any doping. He averaged 30 km/h!

Stephen, from Western Massachusetts competed the RAAM in 2008 and was 5th overall in the North American 24 Championships.

Artistic presence at the Desafio 24h

The painter Adnaldo Rinaldi will be present at this year's Desafio 24h, showing and selling some of his artwork. The artist is whose is sporting inspired showed his paintings at several triathlons and bike races over Brazil, including the Ironman Brazil.

In the occasion he will be donating a painting to be auctioned on ABRAME's behalf.

Desafio 24h to air on ESPN Brasil

She's back again!
After riding naked on the "World Day Without a Car", covering Beijing 2008, that's what left to Renata Falzoni.
After beeing at the the race for two times, she's back again to capture the best angles and interviews for ESPN Brasil.
Bike! Ride! Adrenalin!

Women doing solo

     Daniela at the 2005 ED800k

Paula Fernandes and Alziane Diógenes broke the barrier by being the first two women racing the Desafio 24h solo. Paula took it, showing an incredible determination and stamina, keeping her focus throughout the entire race. Alziane, with all her experience, struggled hard to keep the strong pace she was putting since the first hours. A hip lesion though, kept her dream away. She stopped right after doing the minimum amount of laps.
This year again, two girls will prove to be brave enough to endure the Desafio 24h. Caroline Van Den Bulk, from Canada, with all her will and strenght (read post 10/11), and Daniela Figueiredo , from Rio de Janeiro. Mountain biker since 2001, she competed the road race Extra Distance 800k in 2003. She also did three editions of the Ecomotion Pro, won the Big Biker Circuit (mtb) and the Desafio 12h (mtb) in 2007.
Mother of three, this experienced athlete aims to race the RAAM in 2009. Despite this major goal, she is planning to finish the race, knowing the conditions are harsh at Porto das Dunas.

An unique and exotic cycling event.

Desafo 24h 2008 cycling jersey

Here it is. Buy yours at directly at ativo.com, or get it for free when staying at one of the Beach Park Hotels.

International field

International riders are confirming their presence at the Desafio 24h 2008 edition. Such names as the Dutch Caroline Van Den Bulk (picture), 41 years who lives in Muskoka, Canada since 1998. Her backgroung includes long distance triathlons, several Adventure Races including the Eco-Challenge Utah 1995, several MTB stage races such as Transrockies and the Cape-Epic . She's also no stranges to ultra cycling, competing severl ultra events such as the 24h Worlds, 2008 RAAM and the Texas TT (500mi), held at the end of September, where she smashed the course record by almost 10 hours, finishing it with 32h05'. The Italian Fabio Biasiolo , ultra cyclist with 11 RAAM experiences under his belt among other great races such as L'Autre Tour de France, Race Around Slovenia.

For the third consecutive time, the North American Rob Kish (20x RAAM, 3x champion) promises to battle again for a podium finish.
Another Italian rider will start the Desafio 24h, that's the Dr. Roberto Trotta, who will be visiting Brazil for the first time.
Some will fight for the RAAM spots, some will simply enjoy the race and beautiful scenery, others will do both! The race venue promises lots of cycling emotions and an incredible experience to all international riders, their families and crew.

Overcoming

For the first time in the Desafio 24h history and in the Brazilian ultra cycling history, we are going to have an amputee athlete competing. And he will do it solo!
Roberto Carlos Silva, 41 years, lost his right arm when he was four on an accident with a sugar cane grind machine. Started competing triathlons by the age of 29, without knowing to swim. He struggled hard at he beginning because he only trained at swimming pools and doesn't had any skills on how to swim at open waters. After a lot of training hours he manage to overcome all obstacles and started representing Brazil all over the world. Since then he has been cycling and racing triathlons at the Sydney Paraolympic Games, Cycling World Championships (USA, Germany, Tchech Republic and Switzerland), Brazil Ironman and Extra Distance 800k.

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER WITH SPECIAL DISCOUNT RATES

As the race day approaches, we are getting more and more Teams and solos signed in.
Until the 15th October you can register yourself with an exclusive discount price of R$ 180,00 per rider. Besides that, there are a few spots left at the Beach Park Resort, our official partner Hotel, with very special rates. Staying at the partners Hotels you'll get the exclusive Desafio 24h cycling jersey, mechanical assistance before, during and after the race, free access to the massage tent , a photo and DVD package plus regional food and crafts giveaways, as a souvenir from Brazil.
The entries will be available until November 1st.
Don't miss it!

Entries and complete accommodation packages available

Teams and solo riders can now enter the event and choose the best accommodation package to suite your needs. You'll find options at the Beach Park Resort, the hotel right at the transition area, or the brand new Beach Park Acqua Resort, 500mt away from it. You'll also be able to book a shuttle service for you (and your bike of course) in and out from the airport and help ABRAME children by donating some amount. Exclusively for the riders who choose to stay at the Beach Park hotels, the packages include a cycling jersey, photo/dvd kit, free access to the massage tent and complete mechanical service (except parts). All accommodation payments will be parceled. Ask if you plan to stay longer. All this you'll find here!